Polymer Engineering administers a graduate program in which students are guided through a course of study and research under the supervision of a faculty member leading to the award of a Master’s degree in Polymer Engineering. Basic requirements of the Graduate School for the M.S. degree are set forth and described in the current Graduate Bulletin (graduate catalog) available from Graduate School or online at https://www.uakron.edu/gradsch. Requirements of the Polymer Engineering program are also listed in the Graduate Bulletin. The combined requirements of the Graduate School and Polymer Engineering program represent the minimum standards for attainment of the degree. In an effort to tailor the program to each student's background and research interests, Polymer Engineering and/or the student’s advisor may request requirements beyond the minimum in order to ensure academic and professional success.
The Master’s in Polymer Engineering is awarded to a student after the completion of a prescribed program of course studies and a research project that leads to the preparation of a written thesis describing the research in a scholarly manner. A student and his/her advisor can plan any additional courses necessary to solve the thesis research project and/or that allow for the academic and professional growth of the student.
12 credits - required for all students
Residency Requirements – There are no formal residency requirements for the master’s degree. A student may meet the degree requirements of the Graduate School and Polymer Engineering through either full- or part-time study.
Enrollment Requirement – A master’s student may meet the degree requirements of the Graduate School and Polymer Engineering through either full- or part-time study; however, any student who intends to use laboratories in the Olson Research Center and/or National Polymer Innovation Center, or facilities in the Polymer Engineering Academic Center must be appropriately enrolled for that term, including summer session.
Time Limit – All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed within six (6) years after beginning graduate-level coursework at The University of Akron or elsewhere. An extension of up to one year may be granted in unusual circumstances by the dean of the Graduate School upon written request by the student and recommendation by his/her advisor, the director of the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, and the college dean.
Students with undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering, materials science, chemistry, or physics with outstanding grade point averages are encouraged to apply for admission in programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Polymer Engineering.
Requirements for admission into the Polymer Engineering program are as follows:
Please note that application fees for the Ph.D. and M.S. programs have been waived for 2021.
You may apply online by clicking here, or on the button below. If you have corrections to your information (particularly your e-mail address) after you have submitted your application, please contact the Graduate School at gradadmissions@uakron.edu. Note: All communication regarding the status of your application will be sent via e-mail. Thus, it is important that we have your most up-to-date email address.
Please note that ALL application materials, forms, reference letters, and scores must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions rather than to the Polymer Engineering program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications that are complete by Dec. 15 will receive consideration for early admission. The application deadline is Feb. 15. Exceptional candidates may be considered after the Feb. 15 deadline. The Polymer Engineering program admits for Fall semester only.
Questions regarding admission or the application process may be directed to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Leigh Hall, Room 515
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-2101
Phone: 330-972-7663
Fax: 330-972-6475
Email: gradadmissions@uakron.edu
Sarah Thorley
Coordinator of Academic Programs
413 Polymer Engineering Academic Center
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-0301
Phone: 330-972-8845
Email: sarah3@uakron.edu